The Student Lounge that offers various different places to sit
When I first came to Ireland, I was worried that the Irish education system in universities would drastically differ from my home country. To be perfectly honest, I was outright intimidated and very worried when I thought about potentially failing all my classes. Can you tell I am a slight overthinker? Anyway, my worries were completely unjustified because I like the classroom culture in Ireland even better than in Germany!
My courses are relatively small compared to what I am used to, but my professors here told me that this field is usually not that well attended by fellow students (future international students: enroll for Applied Linguistics!!). The atmosphere is therefore quite relaxed and on a more personal level than in my home university. It feels like you are valued as an individual, and professors are delighted when you participate or have something to share with the class. I have had so many laughs with professors as well as students in my classes, which makes me not dread waking up in the morning when you have a class you look forward to. Generally, I like the layout of the university, which may sound odd at first, but hear me out: There are a lot (and by a lot I really do mean a lot) of options you can spend your free time between classes. I like that you can see that whoever designed the infrastructure they were definitely thinking student friendly. You can choose from sofas to normal chairs, to safer and quieter areas around campus. There are niches in TARA where you can just sit and relax on your own, as well as the huge hall at the student union!
A scenic run in fall with the MIC Running Club
But what I reaaaaally want to tell you about Mary I is the broad range of clubs and societies they have! I was pleasantly surprised when we learned about them during orientation week, because I only remember these having taken place during primary school or middle school, but not university. It does not matter what kind of person you are I am sure Mary I has the perfect club or society for you. Are you artistic? Join the Art Society! Are you interested in getting to know the traditional sport here? Join the Hurling Club! I am part of the Running Club and the Chess Society, and I feel like this is such a great way to connect with the Irish students, as I feel like in classes, they tend to be more by themselves. Especially the Running Club aims to be a safe space for women. As we approach the months where it is getting darker earlier on, this is a great way to feel connected and not be as anxious as you might have been running alone in the dark.
A glimpse of Mary I's different societies
But if you join a club or society, you already share an interest, which makes it easier to start a conversation and approach a stranger. Back home I would have never stayed longer in university if I didn't have to, but here I gladly spend my evenings with like-minded people who enjoy doing the same thing as you. All the clubs and societies are managed by other students, so if you come here and feel like there is something missing you can open your own society!
By Nele Dzienkowski, Germany
